Words are Symbols

• Arbitrary—they are not intrinsically

connected to what they represent

• Ambiguous—their meanings are not clear cut

or fixed

• Abstract—they are not concrete or tangible

Language and Culture Reflect Each Other

• Language and cultural life are intricately interconnected.

• Communication reflects cultural values and perspectives. As we learn language we also learn the values,

perspectives, and beliefs of our culture.

• The language we learn shapes how we categorize the world.

• Communication changes culture.

Meanings of Language are Subjective

• Meanings are never self-evident or absolute.

• We construct meaning in the process of interacting and through thought.

• Because symbols require interpretation, communication is an ongoing process of creating meanings.

Language Use is Rule-Guided

Communication rules are shared understandings of what

communication means and what behaviors are appropriate in various

situations.

Regulative Rules

1. Regulative Rules regulate interaction by specifying when, how, where, and with whom to talk about certain things.

When is it appropriate to show affection or disclose private information?

When is it appropriate to interrupt? With whom do you talk about personal

issues? With whom do you talk about money issues?

Constitutive Rules

2. Constitutive Rules define how certain communicative acts are to be interpreted.

Affection (hugs and kisses) Rudeness (interrupting) Respect (paying attention) Professionalism (dressing well, working overtime) Responsible employee (meeting deadlines, being

on time for work) Commitment to the family (eating meals together)

Punctuation of Language Shapes Meaning

• Punctuation defines beginnings and endings of interaction episodes. When we don’t agree on punctuation

problems may arise.

The Demand-Withdraw Pattern of Punctuation

I withdrawbecause youpursue me.

I pursue harderbecause

you withdrawfurther. I am withdrawing

more because you are pursuing harder.

I pursuebecause

you withdraw.

Symbols Define

• Labels shape perception. Language reflects our subjective opinion

and shapes and fixes our perception. The labels we apply to people shape how

we evaluate and respond to them.

• Labels can totalize when we respond to a person as if one label totally represents who he or she is.

Symbols Define

• Labels affect relationships. The language we use to think about

relationships affects what happens in them. People who use negative labels to describe

their relationships heighten what is wrong. Partners who focus on good facets are

more conscious of virtues in partners.

• Definitions can create self-fulfilling prophecies. Once we select a label we tend to see the experience in line with our label.

Symbols Evaluate

• Values in language reflect and shape perceptions.“casual” “messy” “slob”

“assertive” “aggressive” “bully”

• Loaded language strongly slants perceptions.

Rush Limbaugh’s “feminazi” instead of “feminist”“geezer” or “old fogies” rather than “senior citizen”

Symbols Evaluate

• Language can degrade others. Hate speech radically dehumanizes others.

• Language is powerful. Each of us has an ethical responsibility to

guard against engaging in uncivil speech as well as not tolerating it from others.

Symbols Organize Perceptions

• Organization of symbols allows us to think about abstract concepts such as justice, integrity, and good family life.

• Abstracting can distort our thinking by stereotyping whole classes of people in a generalization.

We have to generalize to organize our thoughts. But we must reflect on stereotypes and be alert to differences among people.

Symbols Allow Hypothetical Thought

• We can think beyond immediate, concrete situations.

• We live in three dimensions of time. In the present, we remember the past and plan

for the future.

• Personal growth requires that we remember an earlier time, appreciate progress, and keep an ideal for the future.

Symbols Allow Self-Reflection

• There are two aspects to self—the I and the ME. (Mead)

The I acts and the ME reflects and analyzes the I’s actions.

I is the performer, doer, actor.

ME is the critic, analyst, social conscious.

Symbols Allow Self-Reflection

• Self-reflection allows us to monitor communication.

• Self-reflection allows us to manage our image.

Engage in Dual Perspective

• Recognize another person’s point of view and take it into consideration when speaking. Understand both our own and another’s

point of view and give voice to each when we communicate.

Understanding and hearing others’ viewpoints paves the way for affirming relationships.

Using I-language allows you to own your own feelings while also explaining to others how you

interpret their behaviors.

You-Language I-Language

You hurt me. I feel hurt when you ignore what I say.

You make me feel small.

I feel small when you tell me that I’m selfish.

You’re so domineering.

When you shout, I feel dominated.

Rephrase each statement so that it is expressed using I-language

• You are so arrogant.

• You embarrassed me in front of my

friends.

• You’re so understanding about my

situation.

• You really are self-centered.

Abstract to Concrete

Animal

Cat

Scrabbles

abstract

concrete

Rephrase each statement so that it is less abstract and more concrete.

• Edward always finds something critical to say.

• Most people have lost any sense of personal responsibility.

• Let’s keep our trip from getting too expensive.

Qualified Language

• Increases the clarity of communication Qualify generalizations to avoid making a

general statement an absolute one.

“Politicians are crooked.”

“A number of politicians have been shown to be dishonest.”

Indexing

• Static evaluation refers to assessments that suggest something is unchanging.

“Don is irresponsible.”

• Indexing reminds us

that our evaluation

applies only to

specific times and

circumstances.

“On the Task Committee, Don was irresponsible.”

Experiencing Communication in our Lives . . .

View the following video clip and then answer the questions that follow based on material presented in this chapter. A script of the scenario can be found at

the end of Chapter 4.

1. Identify examples of you-language in this conversation. How would you change it to I-language.

2. Do you agree with Celia that the problem is Bernadette’s, not hers?

3. Do Celia and Bernadette seem to engage in dual perspective to understand each other?

You may go to your student CD that accompanies the text to compare your answers to Julia Wood’s.